Multi-display digital image processing apparatus using external display apparatus, method of operating the digital image processing apparatus, and computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon program for executing the method

ABSTRACT

A digital image processing apparatus that supports multi-display to reproduce images on an external display apparatus connectable to the digital image processing apparatus, a method of operating the digital image processing apparatus, and a computer readable recording medium recorded thereon a program for executing the method. The digital image processing apparatus includes: a digital signal processor which, when a signal of a first display command is input to the digital image processing apparatus, displays a screen obtained by performing the first display command on the digital image processing apparatus, and when a signal of a second display command corresponding to the signal of the first display command is input to the digital image processing apparatus, displays a screen obtained by performing the second display command on the external display apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2009-0041748, filed on May 13, 2009, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to digital image processing apparatus, a method ofoperating the digital image processing apparatus, and a computerreadable recording medium having recorded thereon a program forexecuting the method, and more particularly, to a digital imageprocessing apparatus which supports multi-display to reproduce images onan external display apparatus, a method of operating the digital imageprocessing apparatus, and a computer readable recording medium havingrecorded thereon a program for executing the method.

A digital image processing apparatus, such as a digital camcoderincluding a digital camera, a cellular phone including a camera module,and a personal digital assistant (PDA), displays an image on a displayunit, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), included in the digitalimage processing apparatus.

When various types of external display apparatuses, such as LCD TVs,computer monitors, plasma display panels (PDPs), and projection TVs, areconnected to the digital image processing apparatus, the same imagedisplayed on the display unit of the digital image processing apparatusmay be displayed on the external display apparatuses.

However, when the same image displayed on the display unit is displayedon an external display apparatus, a desire of a user wanting to usevarious methods of displaying an image may not be satisfied.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the invention provides a digital image processingapparatus which supports multi-display to reproduce images on anexternal display apparatus, a method of operating the digital imageprocessing apparatus, and a computer readable recording medium havingrecorded thereon a program for executing the method.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a digitalimage processing apparatus that supports multi-display to reproduceimages on an external display apparatus connectable to the multi-displaydigital image processing apparatus, the digital image processingapparatus comprising: an input element, a display, and a digital signalprocessor which, when a signal of a first display command is input tothe digital image processing apparatus with the input element, displaysa screen on the display obtained by performing the first display commandon the digital image processing apparatus, and when a signal of a seconddisplay command corresponding to the signal of the first display commandis input to the digital image processing apparatus, displays a screenobtained by performing the second display command on the externaldisplay apparatus.

The digital signal processor may include: a connection detector whichdetects whether the digital image processing apparatus and the externaldisplay apparatus are connected to each other; a display selector whichselects one of the digital image processing apparatus and the externaldisplay apparatus to display the screens obtained by performing thefirst and second display commands; and a controller which performs thefirst and second display commands.

The first display command may display an image selected from amongimages stored in the digital image processing apparatus in a fullscreen, and the second display command may display an enlarged orreduced image of a partial area selected from the full screen on theexternal display apparatus.

An on-screen display (OSD) image, which displays a window on theselected partial area on the full screen, may be further displayed.

The first display command may display an image selected from amongimages stored in the digital image processing apparatus on the digitalimage processing apparatus in a full screen, and the second displaycommand may display an image, on which a special effect is performed onthe selected image, on the external display apparatus.

Options of the special effect may be displayed on the digital imageprocessing apparatus in an on-screen display (OSD) image.

The second display command may display the selected image and the image,on which the special effect is performed, on the external displayapparatus by dividing a screen of the external display apparatus.

The first display command may display images stored in the digital imageprocessing apparatus in a continuous reproduction mode at apredetermined speed on the digital image processing apparatus, and thesecond display command may display the images on the external displayapparatus at a speed different from the predetermined speed of thecontinuous reproduction mode.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof operating a digital image processing apparatus that supportsmulti-display to reproduce images on an external display apparatusconnectable to the digital image processing, the method comprising:inputting a signal of a first display command to the digital imageprocessing apparatus; inputting a signal of a second display command tothe digital image processing apparatus; selecting any one of the digitalimage processing apparatus and the external display apparatus to displayscreens obtained by performing the first and second display commands;and displaying the screens obtained by performing the first and seconddisplay commands.

The selecting may include detecting whether the digital image processingapparatus and the external display apparatus are connected to eachother.

The first display command may display an image selected from amongimages stored in the digital image processing apparatus in a fullscreen, and the second display command may display an enlarged orreduced image of a partial area selected from the full screen on theexternal display apparatus.

The first display command may further display an on-screen display (OSD)image, which displays a window around the selected partial area on thefull screen.

The first display command may display an image selected from amongimages stored in the digital image processing apparatus on the digitalimage processing apparatus in a full screen, and the second displaycommand may display an image, on which a special effect is performed onthe selected image, on the external display apparatus.

The first display command may further display options of the specialeffect on the digital image processing apparatus in an on screen display(OSD) image.

The second display command may display the selected image and the image,on which the special effect is performed, on the external displayapparatus by dividing a screen of the external display apparatus.

The first display command may display images stored in the digital imageprocessing apparatus in a continuous reproduction mode at apredetermined speed on the digital image processing apparatus, and thesecond display command may display the images on the external displayapparatus at a speed different from the predetermined speed of thecontinuous reproduction mode.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided acomputer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having acomputer readable program code embodied therein, said computer readableprogram code adapted to be executed to implement the above describedmethod for operating a digital image processing apparatus that supportsmulti-display to reproduce images on an external display apparatusconnectable to the digital image processing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof withreference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front-top perspective view of a digital image processingapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital image processing apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a digital image processingapparatus which supports multi-display to reproduce images on anexternal display apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing a method of operating thedigital image processing apparatus which supports multi-display toreproduce images on the external display apparatus, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial diagram for illustrating the method of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of operating the digital imageprocessing apparatus which supports multi-display to reproduce images onthe external display apparatus, according to another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating elements VII of FIG. 5 in detail;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial diagram for illustrating the method of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a method of operating the digital imageprocessing apparatus which supports multi-display to reproduce images onthe external display apparatus, according to another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial diagram for describing the method of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart schematically showing a method of operating thedigital image processing apparatus which supports multi-display toreproduce images on the external display apparatus, according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the various embodiments of the invention will be describedmore fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichexemplary embodiments of the invention are shown.

FIG. 1 is a front and top perspective view of a digital image processor.

A shutter-release button 11 is pressed or released so as to expose acharge coupled device (CCD) or a film to light for a predetermined time,and record an image on the CCD by suitably exposing a subject inassociation with an iris (not shown).

A power supply button 13 can be activated to operate the digital imageprocessor by supplying power to the digital image processor.

A flash 15 instantly illuminates with a bright light when an image iscaptured in a dark place, and examples of a flash mode include anautomatic flash mode, a forced flash mode, a no flash mode, a red eyereduction mode, and a slow synchro mode.

An auxiliary light 17 supplies light to a subject so that the digitalimage processor automatically, quickly, and accurately adjusts a focuswhen the light intensity is insufficient or when an image is captured atnight.

A lens unit 19 receives light from an external light source andprocesses an image.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital image processor of FIG. 1. Thedigital image processor also may include a wide angle-zoom button 21 w,a telescopic-zoom button 21 t, a display unit 23, and a plurality ofinput buttons (hereinafter, referred to as buttons) B1 through B14including a touch sensor or a contact type switch.

A view angle is widened or narrowed according to an input of the wideangle-zoom button 21 w or a telescopic-zoom button 21 t. Specifically,the wide angle-zoom button 21 w and a telescopic-zoom button 21 t areused to change a size of a selected exposure area. When the wideangle-zoom button 21 w is activated, the size of the selected exposurearea is decreased, and when the telescopic-zoom button 21 t isactivated, the size of the selected exposure area is increased.

The buttons B1 through B14 are disposed close to sides of the displayunit 23 along vertical and horizontal directions. The buttons B1 throughB14 include a touch sensor (not shown) or a contact type switch (notshown). In other words, when the buttons B1 through B14 include a touchsensor, a finger of a user may move up/down/right/left while touchingthe buttons B1 through B7 disposed in the horizontal direction or thebuttons B8 through B14 disposed in the vertical direction, so as toselect a predetermined value, such as a color or brightness, from amongmain menu items or to activate lower menu icons included in a main menuicon. Alternatively, when the buttons B1 through B14 include a contacttype switch, a desired function may be executed by directly selecting amain menu icon and a lower menu icon. The touch sensor is moretouch-sensitive than the contact type switch.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a digital image processingapparatus 100 that supports multi-display to reproduce images on anexternal display apparatus 200, according to an embodiment of theinvention. The digital image processing apparatus 100 may include adisplay unit 23, a user input unit 110, a photographing unit 120, animage processor 130, a storage unit 140, a connector 150, and a digitalsignal processor 160. In FIG. 3, the digital image processing apparatus100 is connected to the external display apparatus 200, for example, aTV, to multi-display a predetermined image reproduced by the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 on the external display apparatus 200.

The user input unit 110 may include the shutter-release button 11, whichis pressed or released to expose a CCD or a film to light for apredetermined time, the power supply button 13, which is activated tosupply power to the digital image processing apparatus 100, the wideangle-zoom button 21 w and the telescopic-zoom button 21 t, which widenor narrow a view angle, and the buttons B1 through B14, which aredisposed close to sides of the display unit 23 along vertical andhorizontal directions and include a touch sensor or a contact typeswitch so as to input a character or select and execute a menu, as shownin FIG. 2.

The photographing unit 120 includes a shutter, a lens unit, an iris, aCCD, and an analog digital converter (ADC), which are not shown. Theshutter and the iris adjust light intensity. The lens unit receiveslight from an external light source and processes an image. Here, theiris adjusts the amount of received light (light intensity) according toan opening and closing degree of the iris. The opening and closingdegree of the iris is controlled by the digital signal processor 160.

The CCD accumulates the light intensity received via the lens unit, andaccording to the accumulated light intensity, outputs an image formed inthe lens unit according to a vertical synchronization signal. Thedigital image processing apparatus 100 obtains an image from the CCD,which converts light reflected from a subject into an electric signal. Acolor filter is required to obtain a color image using the CCD, and theCCD may employ a color filter array (CFA). Only light indicating onecolor per pixel passes through the CFA. The CFA has a regularly arrangedstructure, and has various forms according to an arrangement structure.The ADC converts an analog signal output from the CCD to a digitalsignal.

In various exemplary embodiments, the image processor 130signal-processes digitally converted raw data so that the raw data maybe displayed on a display device. The image processor 130 removes ablack level due to a dark current generated in the CCD or the CFA thatis sensitive to changes of temperature. The image processor 130 performsgamma compensation, which encodes information according to thenon-linearity of a visual angle of a human. The image processor 130performs CFA interpolation, which interpolates a Bayer pattern realizedin an RGRG line and a GBGB line of predetermined gamma compensated datato an RGB line. The image processor 130 converts an interpolated RGBsignal into a YUV signal, performs an edge compensation that clarifiesan image by filtering a Y signal with a high band pass filter, performsa color correction that corrects color values of U and V signals byusing standard color coordinates, and removes noise from the Y, U, and Vsignals. The image processor 130 generates a Joint Photographic ExpertsGroup (JPEG) file by compressing and signal-processing the Y, U, and Vsignals from which noise were removed. The generated JPEG file isdisplayed on the display unit 23 and stored in the storage unit 140.Various operations of the image processor 130 are controlled by thedigital signal processor 160.

The storage unit 140 is a space for finally storing an image file, andmay include various types of memory cards, such as a smart card, acompact flash (CF) memory, a memory stick, and a secure digital (SD)memory card. Besides the memory cards for storing an image file, thedigital image processing apparatus 100 may further include anelectrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM), whichstores algorithms required to operate a processor of the digital imageprocessing apparatus 100, and a flash memory, which stores setting datarequired to operate a processor of the digital image processingapparatus 100.

The connector 150 may include a wireless or wire interface fortransmitting an image signal from the digital image processing apparatus100 to the external display apparatus 200 under control of the digitalsignal processor 160. Examples of the wire interface include a universalserial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), andexamples of the wireless interface include worldwide interoperabilityfor microwave access (WiMAX), long term evolution (LTE), Wi-Fi, andBlue-tooth.

During a reproduction mode, the digital signal processor 160 detectswhether the digital image processing apparatus 100 and the externaldisplay apparatus 200 are connected to each other, and when the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 and the external display apparatus 200are connected to each other, displays a screen obtained by performing asecond display command corresponding to a first display command input tothe digital image processing apparatus 100 on a display unit 210 of theexternal display apparatus 200.

Accordingly, the digital signal processor 160 includes a connectiondetector 161, a display selector 162, and a controller 163.

The connection detector 161 detects whether the digital image processingapparatus 100 is connected to the external display apparatus 200. Theconnection detector 161 may output a trigger signal in the detection ofa connection between the connector 150 of the digital image processingapparatus 100 and the external display apparatus 200. The connectiondetector 161 may be realized inside the digital signal processor 160 ofthe digital image processing apparatus 100, or may be realizedseparately from the controller 163 as hardware for detecting an externalload.

The display selector 162 selects one of the digital image processingapparatus 100 and the external display apparatus 200 to display a screenobtained by performing the first or second display command.

Here, the first display command is a general display command regardingvarious reproduction methods that the digital image processing apparatus100 is to perform in a reproduction mode of the digital image processingapparatus 100. For example, the first display command may include acommand to display a plurality of images stored in the digital imageprocessing apparatus 100 as thumbnail images in a thumbnail reproductionmode, a command to display one image selected in a general reproductionmode of the digital image processing apparatus 100 in a full screen, anda command to display the plurality of images stored in the digital imageprocessing apparatus 100 in a continuous reproduction mode at apredetermined speed.

Also, the first display command may further include a command to displayvarious on screen display (OSD) images provided by a monitor without aseparate image signal. Details thereof will be described below.

The second display command is a general display command that is newlyperformed on a predetermined image displayed on the digital imageprocessing apparatus 100 according to the first display command via aseries of manipulations by a user. The second display command isdifferent from and corresponds to the first display command. Forexample, when the first display command is to display the plurality ofimages stored in the digital image processing apparatus 100 as thumbnailimages in the thumbnail reproduction mode, the second display commandmay be a command to display one thumbnail image selected by a user fromamong the thumbnail images in a full screen. Also, when the firstdisplay command is to display one image selected from among theplurality of images stored in the digital image processing apparatus 100in a full screen, the second display command may be a command to displayan enlarged or reduced image of a partial area selected in the fullscreen. Also, when the first display command is to display one imageselected from among the plurality of images stored in the digital imageprocessing apparatus 100 in a full screen, the second display commandmay be a command to display an image, on which a special effect isperformed on the selected image, on the external display apparatus 200.Also, when the first display command is to display the plurality ofimages stored in the digital image processing apparatus 100 on thedigital image processing apparatus 100 in a continuous reproduction modeat a predetermined speed, the second display command may be a command todisplay the plurality of images, which are displayed on the digitalimage processing apparatus 100, on the external display apparatus 200 ina continuous reproduction mode at a speed that is different from thespeed of the continuous reproduction mode of the digital imageprocessing apparatus 100.

The first and second display commands are performed under control of thecontroller 163. Here, the controller 163 displays a screen obtained byperforming the first display command on the display unit 23 of thedigital image processing apparatus 100.

When the connection detector 161 detects that the external displayapparatus 200 and the digital image processing apparatus 100 areconnected to each other, the display selector 162 selects the externaldisplay apparatus 200 to display a screen obtained by performing thesecond display command, and transmits the screen obtained by performingthe second display command to the external display apparatus 200 via theconnector 150.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in detailwith reference to FIGS. 4 through 11.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of operating the digital imageprocessing apparatus 100 that supports multi-display to reproduce imageson the external display apparatus 200, according to an embodiment of theinvention, and FIG. 5 is a pictorial diagram for describing the method.The method according to the current embodiment may be performed in thedigital image processing apparatus 100. According to an embodiment, amain algorithm of the method may be performed in the digital signalprocessor 160 with the help of peripheral components of the digitalsignal processor 160.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when a thumbnail reproduction mode signal,which is a signal of a first display command, is input using, e.g., thebuttons B1 through B14, the digital image processing apparatus 100 isconverted to a thumbnail reproduction mode, in operation 310.

When the thumbnail reproduction mode signal is input, the controller 163displays a screen obtained by performing the first display command,i.e., a plurality of images stored in the digital image processingapparatus 100, on the display unit 23 of the digital image processingapparatus 100 as a plurality of thumbnail images, in operation 320.

In operation 330, a user selects a desired thumbnail image from amongthe thumbnail images displayed on the display unit 23 of the digitalimage processing apparatus 100. Here, a window W with a predeterminedsize, which is a type of on-screen display (OSD), is displayed around anoutline of the selected thumbnail image, with the selected thumbnailimage. A location of the window W may be freely moved using the buttonsB1 through B14 included in the user input unit 110. A signal of a seconddisplay command is input in the same manner.

In operation 340, the connection detector 161 continuously detectswhether the digital image processing apparatus 100 is connected to theexternal display apparatus 200. Here, determining of whether the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 is connected to the external displayapparatus 200 may operate as an interrupt.

If an interrupt does not occur in operation 340, the display selector162 selects the digital image processing apparatus 100 to display ascreen obtained by performing the second display command, and the screenobtained by performing the second display command, i.e., the selectedthumbnail image, is displayed on the display unit 23 of the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 in a full screen, in operation 360.

Otherwise, if an interrupt occurs in operation 340, the display selector162 selects the external display apparatus 200 to display the screenobtained by performing the second display command, and the screenobtained by performing the second display command, i.e., the selectedthumbnail image, is displayed on the display unit 210 of the externaldisplay apparatus 200 in a full screen, in operation 350.

According to the current embodiment, the user is able to quickly browsea desired image while looking at a plurality of thumbnail images on thedisplay unit 23 of the digital image processing apparatus 100, andsimultaneously view a large image in high resolution on the display unit210 of the external display apparatus 200, such as TV. Accordingly, theconvenience of the user is increased.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of operating the digital imageprocessing apparatus 100 that supports multi-display to reproduce imageson the external display apparatus 200, according to another embodimentof the invention, FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating VII of FIG. 5 indetail, and FIG. 8 is a pictorial diagram for illustrating the method.The method according to the current embodiment may be performed in thedigital image processing apparatus 100. According to an embodiment, amain algorithm of the method may be performed in the digital signalprocessor 160 with the help of peripheral components of the digitalsignal processor 160.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, when a reproduction mode signal, whichis a signal of a first display command, is input using the buttons B1through B14, the digital image processing apparatus 100 is converted toa reproduction mode in operation 410.

When the reproduction mode signal is input, the controller 163 displaysa screen obtained by performing the first display command, i.e., animage selected from among a plurality of images stored in the digitalimage processing apparatus 100, on the display unit 23 of the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 in a full screen, in operation 420.

A user selects a desired partial area of an area of the full screen ofthe image displayed on the display unit 23 of the digital imageprocessing apparatus 100, in operation 430. Here, a window W with apredetermined size, which is a type of OSD, is displayed together withthe partial area, in operation 431. A location of the window may befreely moved using the buttons B1 through B14 included in the user inputunit 110, in operation 432. A signal of a second display command isinput in the same manner.

The connection detector 161 continuously detects whether the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 is connected to the external displayapparatus 200 in operation 440. Here, determining of whether the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 is connected to the external displayapparatus 200 may operate as an interrupt.

If an interrupt does not occur in operation 440, the display selector162 selects the digital image processing apparatus 100 to display ascreen obtained by performing the second display command, and displaysthe screen obtained by performing the second display command, i.e., anenlarged or reduced image of the selected partial area, on the displayunit 23 of the digital image processing apparatus 100, in operation 460.

Otherwise, if an interrupt occurs, the display selector 162 selects theexternal display apparatus 200 to display the screen obtained byperforming the second display command. If an enlargement button signalis input in operation 433 as the second display command, the enlargedimage of the selected partial area is displayed on the display unit 210of the external display apparatus 200 in operation 451, as illustratedin FIG. 8, and if a reduction button signal is input in operation 434 asthe second display command, a reduced image of the selected partial areais displayed on the display unit 210 of the external display apparatus200 in operation 452.

According to the current embodiment, when an enlargement/reductionoperation is performed on a partial area of an image displayed on thedigital image processing apparatus 100, an enlarged/reduced image of theimage is displayed on the display unit 210 of the external displayapparatus 200 in high resolution, whereas a location of the partial areais indicated by a window W on the digital image processing apparatus100. Accordingly, the convenience of the user is increased, since it canbe directly seen which partial area of the image is enlarged/reduced.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart schematically showing a method of operating thedigital image processing apparatus 100 that supports multi-display toreproduce images on the external display apparatus 200, according toanother embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 10 is a pictorial diagramfor illustrating the method. The method according to the currentembodiment may be performed in the digital image processing apparatus100. According to an embodiment, a main algorithm of the method may beperformed in the digital signal processor 160 with the help ofperipheral components of the digital signal processor 160.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a reproduction mode signal, which is asignal of a first display command, is input using the buttons B1 throughB14, the digital image processing apparatus 100 is converted to areproduction mode in operation 510.

When the reproduction mode signal is input, the controller 163 displaysa screen obtained by performing the first display command, i.e., animage selected from among plurality of images stored in the digitalimage processing apparatus 100, on the display unit 23 of the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 in a full screen, in operation 520.

Here, a type of OSD image S, which indicates options of a specialeffect, is simultaneously displayed on the display unit 23 of thedigital image processing apparatus 100, and a user selects a desiredoption from among the options displayed on the display unit 23, inoperation 530. Here, a window W with a predetermined size, indicatingthe selected option, is displayed on the OSD image S. A signal of asecond display command is input in the same manner.

The connection detector 161 continuously detects whether the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 is connected to the external displayapparatus 200 in operation 540. Here, detecting of whether the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 is connected to the external displayapparatus 200 may operate as an interrupt.

If an interrupt does not occur in operation 540, the display selector162 selects the digital image processing apparatus 100 to display ascreen obtained by performing the second display command, and the screenobtained by performing the second display command, i.e., a screen onwhich the selected option of the special effect is performed, on thedisplay unit 23 of the digital image processing apparatus 100, inoperation 560.

Otherwise, if an interrupt occurs, the display selector 162 selects theexternal display apparatus 200 to display the screen obtained byperforming the second display command, and the screen obtained byperforming the second display command, i.e., the screen on which theselected option of the special effect is performed, on the display unit210 of the external display apparatus 200, in operation 550. Here, ascreen of the display unit 210 may be divided so as to display a screenbefore a special effect and a screen after a special effect together.

According to the current embodiment, the user is able to view anoriginal image on the display unit 23 of the digital image processingapparatus 100, while viewing a large image, on which a special effect isperformed, in high resolution on the display unit 210 of the externaldisplay apparatus 200, such as TV, and thus the convenience of the useris increased.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a method of operating the digital imageprocessing apparatus 100 that supports multi-display to reproduce imageson the external display apparatus 200, according to another embodimentof the invention. The method according to the current embodiment may beperformed in the digital image processing apparatus 100. According to anembodiment, a main algorithm of the method may be performed in thedigital signal processor 160 with the help of peripheral components ofthe digital signal processor 160.

Referring to FIG. 11, when a continuous reproduction mode signal, whichis a signal of a first display command, is input using the buttons B1through B14, the digital image processing apparatus 100 is converted toa continuous reproduction mode in operation 610.

When the continuous reproduction mode signal is input, the controller163 displays a screen obtained by performing the first display command,i.e., predetermined images from among a plurality of images stored inthe digital image processing apparatus 100, on the display unit 23 ofthe digital image processing apparatus 100 at a predetermined speed inoperation 620.

A user may select a speed of the continuous reproduction mode inoperation 630.

The connection detector 161 continuously detects whether the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 is connected to the external displayapparatus 200 in operation 640. Here, detecting of whether the digitalimage processing apparatus 100 is connected to the external displayapparatus 200 may operate as an interrupt.

If an interrupt does not occur in operation 640, the display selector162 selects the digital image processing apparatus 100 to display ascreen obtained by performing a second display command, and the screenobtained by performing the second display command, i.e., thepredetermined images having a newly set speed that is faster or slowerthan the predetermined speed of the continuous reproduction mode of thedigital image processing apparatus 100, on the display unit 23 of thedigital image processing apparatus 100, in operation 660.

Otherwise if an interrupt occurs in operation 540, the display selector162 selects the external display apparatus 200 to display the screenobtained by performing the second display command, and the screenobtained by performing the second display command, i.e., thepredetermined images having a newly set speed that is faster or slowerthan the predetermined speed of the continuous reproduction mode of thedigital image processing apparatus 100, on the display unit 210 of theexternal display apparatus 200, in operation 650.

According to the current embodiment, the user is able to view images atan original speed of a continuous reproduction mode on the display unit23 of the digital image processing apparatus 100, while viewing theimages at a newly set speed in a large size and high resolution on thedisplay unit 210 of the external display apparatus 200, such as TV.Accordingly, the convenience of the user is increased.

According to an apparatus and a method of operating the apparatusdescribed above, the apparatus and an external display apparatus aresimultaneously used to each display different images, and thus theapparatus and the external display apparatus are efficiently used.

The invention can also be applied in a computer readable recordingmedium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method ofoperating the apparatus that supports multi-display to reproduce imageson the external display apparatus. Examples of the computer readablerecording medium include magnetic storage media such as read-only memory(ROM), floppy disks, hard disks, and magnetic tapes, optical recordingmedia such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and storage media (e.g., transmissionthrough the Internet).

The embodiments of the invention may be realized as media includingcomputer readable code, thereby distributed and read by a plurality ofcomputer systems connected via a network. Also, functional programs,codes, and code segments for accomplishing the invention can be easilyconstrued by programmers of ordinary skill in the art to which theinvention pertains.

The system described herein can include functional programs, codes, andcode segments. Any of the computing elements may comprise a processor, amemory for storing program data and executing it, a permanent storagesuch as a disk drive, a communications port for handling communicationswith external devices, and user interface devices, including a display,keyboard, etc.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference has been made to the preferred embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used todescribe these embodiments. However, no limitation of the scope of theinvention is intended by this specific language, and the inventionshould be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normallyoccur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The invention may be described in terms of functional block componentsand various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized byany number of hardware and/or software components configured to performthe specified functions. For example, the invention may employ variousintegrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processingelements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carryout a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, where the elementsof the invention are implemented using software programming or softwareelements the invention may be implemented with any programming orscripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler, or the like, withthe various algorithms being implemented with any combination of datastructures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements.Functional aspects may be implemented in algorithms that execute on oneor more processors. Furthermore, the invention could employ any numberof conventional techniques for electronics configuration, signalprocessing and/or control, data processing and the like. The words“mechanism” and “element” are used broadly and are not limited tomechanical or physical embodiments, but can include software routines inconjunction with processors, etc.

The particular implementations shown and described herein areillustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwiselimit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity,conventional electronics, control systems, software development andother functional aspects of the systems (and components of theindividual operating components of the systems) may not be described indetail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in thevarious figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functionalrelationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the variouselements. It should be noted that many alternative or additionalfunctional relationships, physical connections or logical connectionsmay be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component isessential to the practice of the invention unless the element isspecifically described as “essential” or “critical”.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural. Furthermore, recitation of ranges of values herein are merelyintended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually toeach separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicatedherein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specificationas if it were individually recited herein. Finally, the steps of allmethods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. Numerous modifications and adaptations will bereadily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A digital image processing apparatus that supports multi-display toreproduce images on an external display apparatus connectable to themulti-display digital image processing apparatus, the digital imageprocessing apparatus comprising: an input element; a display; and adigital signal processor which, when a signal of a first display commandis input to the digital image processing apparatus with the inputelement, displays a screen on the display obtained by performing thefirst display command on the digital image processing apparatus, andwhen a signal of a second display command corresponding to the signal ofthe first display command is input to the digital image processingapparatus, displays a screen obtained by performing the second displaycommand on the external display apparatus.
 2. The digital imageprocessing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital signal processorcomprises: a connection detector which detects whether the digital imageprocessing apparatus and the external display apparatus are connected toeach other; a display selector which selects one of the digital imageprocessing apparatus and the external display apparatus to display thescreens obtained by performing the first and second display commands;and a controller which performs the first and second display commands.3. The digital image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstdisplay command displays an image selected from among images stored inthe digital image processing apparatus in a full screen, and the seconddisplay command displays an enlarged or reduced image of a partial areaselected from the full screen on the external display apparatus.
 4. Thedigital image processing apparatus of claim 3, wherein an on-screendisplay (OSD) image, which displays a window on the selected partialarea on the full screen, is further displayed.
 5. The digital imageprocessing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first display commanddisplays an image selected from among images stored in the digital imageprocessing apparatus on the digital image processing apparatus in a fullscreen, and the second display command displays an image, on which aspecial effect is performed on the selected image, on the externaldisplay apparatus.
 6. The digital image processing apparatus of claim 5,wherein options of the special effect are displayed on the digital imageprocessing apparatus in an on screen display (OSD) image.
 7. The digitalimage processing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second displaycommand displays the selected image and the image, on which the specialeffect is performed, on the external display apparatus by dividing ascreen of the external display apparatus.
 8. The digital imageprocessing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first display commanddisplays images stored in the digital image processing apparatus in acontinuous reproduction mode at a predetermined speed on the digitalimage processing apparatus, and the second display command displays theimages on the external display apparatus at a speed different from thepredetermined speed of the continuous reproduction mode.
 9. A method ofoperating a digital image processing apparatus that supportsmulti-display to reproduce images on an external display apparatusconnectable to the digital image processing, the method comprising:inputting a signal of a first display command to the digital imageprocessing apparatus; inputting a signal of a second display command tothe digital image processing apparatus; selecting any one of the digitalimage processing apparatus and the external display apparatus to displayscreens obtained by performing the first and second display commands;and displaying the screens obtained by performing the first and seconddisplay commands.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the selectingcomprises detecting whether the digital image processing apparatus andthe external display apparatus are connected to each other.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: displaying, by the first displaycommand, an image selected from among images stored in the digital imageprocessing apparatus in a full screen; and displaying, by the seconddisplay command, an enlarged or reduced image of a partial area selectedfrom the full screen on the external display apparatus.
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein the first display command further displays anon-screen display (OSD) image, which displays a window around theselected partial area on the full screen.
 13. The method of claim 9,further comprising: displaying, by the first display command, an imageselected from among images stored in the digital image processingapparatus on the digital image processing apparatus in a full screen;and displaying, by the second display command, an image on which aspecial effect is performed on the selected image on the externaldisplay apparatus.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first displaycommand further displays options of the special effect on the digitalimage processing apparatus in an on screen display (OSD) image.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the second display command displays theselected image and the image, on which the special effect is performed,on the external display apparatus by dividing a screen of the externaldisplay apparatus.
 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:displaying, by the first display command, images stored in the digitalimage processing apparatus in a continuous reproduction mode at apredetermined speed on the digital image processing apparatus; anddisplaying, by the second display command, images on the externaldisplay apparatus at a speed different from the predetermined speed ofthe continuous reproduction mode.
 17. A computer program product,comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable programcode embodied therein, said computer readable program code adapted to beexecuted to implement a method for operating a digital image processingapparatus that supports multi-display to reproduce images on an externaldisplay apparatus connectable to the digital image processing, themethod comprising: inputting a signal of a first display command to thedigital image processing apparatus; inputting a signal of a seconddisplay command to the digital image processing apparatus; selecting anyone of the digital image processing apparatus and the external displayapparatus to display screens obtained by performing the first and seconddisplay commands; and displaying the screens obtained by performing thefirst and second display commands.